US6217499B1 - Manufacture of a flexible container - Google Patents

Manufacture of a flexible container Download PDF

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Publication number
US6217499B1
US6217499B1 US09/029,654 US2965498A US6217499B1 US 6217499 B1 US6217499 B1 US 6217499B1 US 2965498 A US2965498 A US 2965498A US 6217499 B1 US6217499 B1 US 6217499B1
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United States
Prior art keywords
layer
accordance
layers
boundary zone
polymeric material
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
US09/029,654
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English (en)
Inventor
Hans DE Vries
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Dunlop Enerka BV
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Dunlop Enerka BV
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Assigned to DUNLOP ENERKA B.V. reassignment DUNLOP ENERKA B.V. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: DE VRIES, HANS
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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/004—Preventing sticking together, e.g. of some areas of the parts to be joined
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/10—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/11—Joint cross-sections comprising a single joint-segment, i.e. one of the parts to be joined comprising a single joint-segment in the joint cross-section
    • B29C66/112—Single lapped joints
    • B29C66/1122—Single lap to lap joints, i.e. overlap joints
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/50—General aspects of joining tubular articles; General aspects of joining long products, i.e. bars or profiled elements; General aspects of joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars; General aspects of joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles
    • B29C66/51—Joining tubular articles, profiled elements or bars; Joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars; Joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles
    • B29C66/53—Joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars
    • B29C66/532—Joining single elements to the wall of tubular articles, hollow articles or bars
    • B29C66/5326—Joining single elements to the wall of tubular articles, hollow articles or bars said single elements being substantially flat
    • B29C66/53261—Enclosing tubular articles between substantially flat elements
    • B29C66/53262—Enclosing spouts between the walls of bags, e.g. of medical bags
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/73—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset
    • B29C66/737—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the state of the material of the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/7375—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the state of the material of the parts to be joined uncured, partially cured or fully cured
    • B29C66/73751—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the state of the material of the parts to be joined uncured, partially cured or fully cured the to-be-joined area of at least one of the parts to be joined being uncured, i.e. non cross-linked, non vulcanized
    • B29C66/73752—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the state of the material of the parts to be joined uncured, partially cured or fully cured the to-be-joined area of at least one of the parts to be joined being uncured, i.e. non cross-linked, non vulcanized the to-be-joined areas of both parts to be joined being uncured
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/83—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof characterised by the movement of the joining or pressing tools
    • B29C66/832—Reciprocating joining or pressing tools
    • B29C66/8322—Joining or pressing tools reciprocating along one axis
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/71—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/73—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset
    • B29C66/739—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset
    • B29C66/7394—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of at least one of the parts being a thermoset
    • B29C66/73941—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of at least one of the parts being a thermoset characterised by the materials of both parts being thermosets
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2021/00—Use of unspecified rubbers as moulding material
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2105/00—Condition, form or state of moulded material or of the material to be shaped
    • B29K2105/06—Condition, form or state of moulded material or of the material to be shaped containing reinforcements, fillers or inserts
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2105/00—Condition, form or state of moulded material or of the material to be shaped
    • B29K2105/24—Condition, form or state of moulded material or of the material to be shaped crosslinked or vulcanised
    • B29K2105/246—Uncured, e.g. green
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
    • B29L2022/00—Hollow articles
    • B29L2022/02—Inflatable articles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
    • B29L2031/00—Other particular articles
    • B29L2031/30—Vehicles, e.g. ships or aircraft, or body parts thereof
    • B29L2031/3067—Ships
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
    • B29L2031/00—Other particular articles
    • B29L2031/751—Mattresses, cushions
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S493/00—Manufacturing container or tube from paper; or other manufacturing from a sheet or web
    • Y10S493/916—Pliable container
    • Y10S493/927—Reclosable
    • Y10S493/929—Reclosable with valve
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S493/00—Manufacturing container or tube from paper; or other manufacturing from a sheet or web
    • Y10S493/916—Pliable container
    • Y10S493/931—Pliable container having plural compartments
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S493/00—Manufacturing container or tube from paper; or other manufacturing from a sheet or web
    • Y10S493/916—Pliable container
    • Y10S493/933—Pliable container having multilayer wall

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a method for the manufacture of a flexible container such as a flexible fluid container and in particular, though not exclusively, to the manufacture of a flexible fluid container suitable for use as a water bed.
  • the present invention seeks to provide an improved method of the manufacture of a flexible container which is suitable for the manufacture of a fluid container of a heavy duty type. It seeks also to provide a method suitable for the manufacture of an integral arrangement of a plurality of a flexible containers.
  • One aspect of the present invention provides a method for the manufacture of a flexible container comprising:
  • mask means to an inner zone of a first surface of said layer, said mask means being arranged spaced from edges of the first layer thereby to define a substantially continuous boundary zone;
  • each of the first and second layers is of vulcanisable polymeric material and that said treatment operation comprises the application of heat and pressure to vulcanise the polymeric material, at least in the region of said confronting boundary zone surfaces, and thereby form a vulcanised joint between the two layers.
  • One or both of the first and second layers may be reinforced.
  • the two layers may be layers of substantially wholly unvulcanised polymeric material which are each vulcanised and become united with one another at the boundary zone during a vulcanisation operation.
  • One or each of the layers may be of a kind having a reinforcement structure which is embedded in polymeric material.
  • a layer may comprise calendered material.
  • Suitable polymeric materials include:- NR, SBR, BR, NBR/PVC, BIIR, CIIR, IR, EPR, EPDM, CR, SIR, wherein said abbreviations have the following meanings:
  • NBR/PVC a blend of Acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber and Polyvinylchloride
  • blends of materials including blends of the foregoing.
  • the materials are suitable also for an outer surface of the flexible container, i.e. to lie at least outwards of any embedded reinforcement structure, and also for forming an inward facing surface.
  • the reinforcement structure may be a reinforcement fabric known per se. It may comprise a single layer of reinforcement fabric which provides reinforcement strength in two mutually perpendicular directions.
  • the reinforcement structure may comprise a plurality of reinforcement fabric layers in which case one layer may provide reinforcement in a first direction and a second layer may provide reinforcement in a direction substantially perpendicular to said first direction.
  • Outwardly facing surfaces of the flexible fluid container may be provided with a profiled surface, for example during a vulcanisation procedure.
  • a profiled surface for example during a vulcanisation procedure.
  • methods for providing a profiled surface include the use of a press plate and the use of an impression cloth.
  • Vulcanisation may be performed in press means with a layer of impression fabric lying between a press face and an outer face of at least one of the first and second layers whereby during vulcanisation said outwardly facing surface of a first or second layer has imparted thereto a surface texture representative of the impressed and subsequently removed fabric layer.
  • the mask means may comprise a layer of a material which does not adhere to the confronting surface materials of either the first or second layers. Typically it is a substantially continuous, free of cut-outs, layer so as to prevent confronting surfaces of the first and second layers coming into contact inwards of the boundary zone.
  • Suitable materials for the mask means include water-tight rubber, BIIR, CIIR, IIR, polyester, nylon 6, nylon 6.6, rayon, aramide, polyvinyl acetate, polyethylene, polypropylene, cellulose-acetate, silicons, teflon and metal foils.
  • the mask means may comprise two layers of a material which optionally, and preferably, adheres to a confronting surface of one of said first or second layers but which does not adhere to itself when subject to the temperature and pressure of a vulcanisation operation.
  • Suitable materials include the aforementioned materials which inherently do not adhere to the material(s) of said first and second layers.
  • the mask means may be arranged to extend locally to an edge of the first layer to provide a localised region at which the boundary zone of the first layer does not become adhered to the second layer. This creates an embryonic access passage so that, in subsequent use of the container, fluid may be introduced into or removed from the fluid chamber created between said first and second layers.
  • a tube may be positioned to extend through the boundary zone prior to the first and second layers being united together.
  • That tube may be of a flexible type which may adopt a lay flat configuration during the forementioned treatment operation, or may be a rigid tube such as a tube of e.g. a plastics, or a metallic material such as stainless steel. If the mask means comprises a pair of superimposed layers, an inner end of the tube preferably is arranged to lie between those layers.
  • the method may be applied to the manufacture of a flexible container which is to contain a fluid which may be a liquid or gas. It may be a container which is to be filled with a high viscosity material, for example of a paste like consistency. It may be filled with a medium which is or becomes a foam; that foam may be a resilient foam.
  • a fluid which may be a liquid or gas. It may be a container which is to be filled with a high viscosity material, for example of a paste like consistency. It may be filled with a medium which is or becomes a foam; that foam may be a resilient foam.
  • the present invention provides also a method for the manufacture of a flexible container of a multi-chamber type comprising:
  • the method comprises also providing means for independent fluid communication with each fluid chamber zone created in the region of each mask means.
  • the method may further comprises providing that each communication means extends to a common longitudinally extended edge of the assembly.
  • the first and second elongate layers may be of vulcanisable material and may be vulcanised in a step-wise manner in which a first part of the length of the assembled layers is introduced into an elongate platen press, subjected to heat and pressure and then moved either out from the press or further along the length of the press so that another portion of unvulcanised material is introduced into the press.
  • the assembled material therefore moves in a step-wise manner through the press.
  • Alternative vulcanisation procedures include the use of a Rotocure type press or a long length flat continuous cure press. Subsequent to vulcanisation, the resulting multi chamber assembly may be rolled for storage and transportation.
  • valve means may be provided for control of fluid into and out of the fluid chamber formed in the region of each mask means.
  • the method may comprise providing a sealing device to stop flow of fluid into and out of the fluid chamber region until the fluid chamber region is to occupied by a liquid; prior introduction of unwanted air can thereby avoided.
  • each boundary zone preferably is provided with a width of at least 10 mm, typically at least 50 mm.
  • the width typically will be less than 200 mm, for example in the order of 100 mm, but may be significantly more, e.g. in the order of 1000 mm, to provide a zone for securing to a floor or other location point.
  • At least a part of the boundary zone may have a width in the range 70 to 110 mm.
  • some of the successive chamber sections will each be spaced by an intermediate boundary zone of a width corresponding to that at an edge region and that some intermediate boundary zones will be of a greater width, for example in the range 1.5 to 2 times of the edge boundary width at positions at which, for example, one series of containers is to be cut from another container or series of containers.
  • intermediate boundary zones of greater width are provided at pre-selected positions spaced along the length of the assembly at positions corresponding to those at which the elongate assembly is to cut transversely to provide sections, i.e. groups of water bed mats of a required length, or to provide individual mats.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective part of a water bed during a first stage of manufacture
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an assembled water bed incorporating the component part of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a plan view of part of an elongate assembly of water beds at a first stage of manufacture
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic view of apparatus for use in the manufacture of an elongate assembly of water beds.
  • a first flexible layer 10 of synthetic rubber having embedded therein a woven reinforcing fabric 11 of rayon.
  • the mask insert 13 is pre-selected in shape so that when it is positioned centrally of the surface 12 there is formed a border zone 14 of a width in the order of 75 to 125 mm, the border zone extending continuously around the mask insert 13 except near to one corner at which a flat rubber tube 15 is provided and arranged to extend with one end adjacent an edge 16 of the layer 10 and another end 17 slightly overlying the mask 13 .
  • a second layer 20 of reinforced rubber, of a construction corresponding to that of layer 10 is then laid over the boundary surface 14 and mask 13 .
  • the resulting assembly is subjected to a vulcanisation process during which the layers 10 and 20 are vulcanised to one another at the boundary zone 14 .
  • valve device/collector 21 is fitted to the tube 15 .
  • the resulting assembly is then injected with water through the tube 15 into the fluid chamber zone 22 defined between the confronting, unbonded central zones of the layers 10 and 20 outside of the mask layer 13 .
  • valve 21 When the required quantity of water (or other liquid) is in the fluid chamber, the valve 21 is closed to seal the chamber 22 .
  • an elongate strip 30 of unvulcanised, reinforced rubber, corresponding in construction to the aforedescribed layer 10 has a series of mask inserts 31 , placed thereon.
  • Each mask corresponds to the aforedescribed mask 13 , and the masks lie at positions spaced apart in the direction of the length of the strip 30 .
  • Edge boundary zones 32 , 33 at opposite side edges of the strip 30 are of a similar transverse width, and some of the transversely extending boundaries zones 34 are also of that width.
  • each mask insert 31 there is provided a lay flat tube 36 for subsequent connection of a valve, the tube 36 corresponding to the aforedescribed tube 15 .
  • a second layer of unvulcanised material corresponding to the layer 30 is placed over the layer 30 , the mask 31 and tubes 36 .
  • the resulting assembly 37 is then advanced in step wise manner through a platen press 38 .
  • the lay flat tubes 36 are each fitted with valve devices which are closed to prevent unwanted entry of air into the fluid chamber zones defined by the respective mask inserts. If necessary a pump or other means is used to withdraw unwanted air from the fluid chamber zones prior to closure of the tubes.
US09/029,654 1996-06-28 1997-06-26 Manufacture of a flexible container Expired - Fee Related US6217499B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9613625 1996-06-28
GB9613625A GB9613625D0 (en) 1996-06-28 1996-06-28 Improvements in and relating to the manufacture of a flexible container
PCT/IB1997/000853 WO1998000285A1 (fr) 1996-06-28 1997-06-26 Perfectionnements apportes a un recipient souple et a sa fabrication

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US6217499B1 true US6217499B1 (en) 2001-04-17

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US09/029,654 Expired - Fee Related US6217499B1 (en) 1996-06-28 1997-06-26 Manufacture of a flexible container

Country Status (15)

Country Link
US (1) US6217499B1 (fr)
EP (1) EP0852534B1 (fr)
JP (1) JP2001502615A (fr)
AR (1) AR007664A1 (fr)
AT (1) ATE223806T1 (fr)
AU (1) AU3270397A (fr)
CA (1) CA2230246A1 (fr)
DE (1) DE69715363T2 (fr)
DK (1) DK0852534T3 (fr)
ES (1) ES2184100T3 (fr)
GB (2) GB9613625D0 (fr)
NO (1) NO980818L (fr)
PT (1) PT852534E (fr)
WO (1) WO1998000285A1 (fr)
ZA (1) ZA975740B (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
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US3016806A (en) * 1958-02-27 1962-01-16 Milprint Inc Art of producing multiple compartment bags
US3523848A (en) * 1967-05-27 1970-08-11 Continental Gummi Werke Ag Method of making warm water bottle and similar flat hollow bodies of rubber and rubber-like vulcanizable synthetic materials
US3610307A (en) * 1969-10-31 1971-10-05 Continental Gummi Werke Ag Hollow bodies of rubber and rubberlike vulcanizable synthetic materials
US3702484A (en) * 1971-11-18 1972-11-14 Aqua Therm Prod Corp Light-weight, minimum-volume water pad
US3815165A (en) * 1971-11-18 1974-06-11 Aqua Therm Prod Corp Light-weight, minimum-volume water pad
US4252910A (en) * 1973-07-16 1981-02-24 Philipp Schaefer Material for resilient, conforming pads, cushions, supports or the like and method
US3889684A (en) * 1974-02-01 1975-06-17 Steve Lebold Hot and cold pack
US3914367A (en) * 1974-02-15 1975-10-21 Town Tire Services Limited Method of forming inflation bladder and eliminating trapped gas from a molded bladder seam
US3998684A (en) * 1976-01-12 1976-12-21 Mcright Kenneth L Method of manufacturing air cushions
US4918904A (en) * 1987-08-25 1990-04-24 Pharo Daniel A Method for forming clam-like packaging system
USRE34117E (en) * 1988-07-01 1992-10-27 International Plastics, Inc. Protective laboratory specimen bag
US5123987A (en) * 1990-07-20 1992-06-23 Cooper Tire & Rubber Company Method of producing an air bladder from two uncured membranes
US5254074A (en) * 1991-11-12 1993-10-19 Laminated Films & Packaging Inflatable packaging bag

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10391718B2 (en) * 2005-07-01 2019-08-27 Reebok International Limited Inflatable article of footwear or bladders for use in inflatable articles of manufacture

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GB9804080D0 (en) 1998-04-22
WO1998000285A1 (fr) 1998-01-08
DE69715363D1 (de) 2002-10-17
PT852534E (pt) 2003-01-31
AR007664A1 (es) 1999-11-10
ES2184100T3 (es) 2003-04-01
GB9613625D0 (en) 1996-08-28
GB2320458B (en) 2000-07-26
DE69715363T2 (de) 2003-06-05
CA2230246A1 (fr) 1998-01-08
ZA975740B (en) 1998-01-20
NO980818L (no) 1998-04-27
GB2320458A (en) 1998-06-24
EP0852534B1 (fr) 2002-09-11
ATE223806T1 (de) 2002-09-15
NO980818D0 (no) 1998-02-26
JP2001502615A (ja) 2001-02-27
EP0852534A1 (fr) 1998-07-15
DK0852534T3 (da) 2002-10-07
AU3270397A (en) 1998-01-21

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